Anyone who has followed college football knows it is a highly-competitive, high-stakes sport.

With the money it generates, from the rabid fan base — thanks to the Internet and blogs, as well — to the boosters, the trustees and even the school’s president, college football is definitely not for the weak.

So why would Urban Meyer give this another go-round?

Meyer left the University of Florida following last season having suffered from burnout and wanting to spend time with his family.

I know, as a coach, Meyer is arguably one of the best in the country. He won at Bowling Green. He turned the University of Utah into a winner and won two national championships at Florida.

He has a 104-23 record and is 7-1 in bowl games.

The game, however, eats away at Meyer every time he’s out on the field.

Between the stress and the heart issues he had in the past, Meyer has his problems with college football.

He can coach it, but it takes a huge toll on his well-being.

“I had a health scare a couple of years ago,” Meyer said at his news conference Monday. “I didn’t feel right. But I feel fantastic now.”

That’s well and good, but Meyer has been away from the sidelines for almost a year. He should feel fantastic. Football hasn’t put the strain it has in the past. He spent the past season as an analyst for ESPN.

Why should this time be any different?

You can learn to manage stress, but can you overhaul it where it will not affect you? I say no.

I’ve been a big worrier my entire life. I do some things to keep it in check, but I can’t eradicate it from my life. I never could. I try to deal with it as best I can and move forward.

That said, I don’t coach college football. I’m not responsible for 100 kids and wondering about their whereabouts and what they’re doing, recruiting and beating Michigan and other programs.

Dick Vermeil had the same issues. The former coach led the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XV and lost to the Oakland Raiders, then retired because of burnout.

Fifteen years later, he returned to coach the St. Louis Rams, and in his third season, guided the team to the Super Bowl and won. So, he retired for another year before returning to the Kansas City Chiefs, which he coached from 2001 to 2005 before retiring for the final time.

Vermeil always wore his heart on his sleeve, an emotional and impassioned coach. It affected him so much he would cry just talking about the players he loved.

I wouldn’t go that far with Meyer, but the point is once you burn out, you’re most likely to burn out again, even in the good times.

Ohio State signed him for six years at about $24 million, but that’s optimistic at best.

Meyer could bring a national championship to Columbus, but fans better temper their enthusiasm just in case.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.